The Leaders got to see how RAAF-commissioned aircraft are manufactured
Airbus Group, one of Europe’s top aviation companies, has an Australian division dedicated to the manufacturing and maintenance of aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
As part of the programme's agenda, the Leaders visited Airbus's headquarters in Getafe, Madrid, where around 6,000 employees work on the development and manufacturing of civil and military aircraft. There they had the chance to become familiar with the transformation process of civil Airbus A330-200 aircraft into military Airbus A330-MRTT, the most modern tanker aircraft to date.
The Royal Australian Air Force placed its first order in 2004 and since then a strong long-term relationship with Airbus has been built, including the commissioning of two new aircraft in 2015. The relationship is so close that, as explained by Antonio Moya, head of the A330 MRTT programme, a delegate of RAAF is permanently based in Madrid to work with Airbus on the project requirements.
Airbus tankers are compatible with air forces from other countries due to the standardisation process known as STANAG (Standardisation Agreement), under which NATO members' air forces can use the facilities and equipment of other countries. Despite not being a member, Australia became a major non-NATO ally (MNNA) in 1989, so Australian aircraft deployed in conflict zones can supply fuel both to other air forces and to British and American air forces.
During the visit to Airbus hangars, the Australian Leaders saw all the phases of transformation of civil aircraft into military aircraft. The aircraft, built in France with components from several European countries including Spain, are modified internally with the structural and military reinforcements needed for them to be fully operative.
The final result is similar in appearance to a commercial aircraft, except for the additional instruments in the cockpit to carry out refuelling manoeuvres, which include 3D cameras. Another advantage of Airbus A330 MRTTs is that they can be used for other purposes, such as transport and even transformation into a medevac aircraft.
The Leaders got a close-up view of the different refuelling systems, probes and drogues, and heard about the research programmes devoted to automating the process as much as possible. Airbus has currently completed production of those aircraft, each of which employs an average of 200 people daily for a whole year, until 2020.
Founded in the late 60s, Airbus is a world leader in aircraft manufacturing and its military division is an industry beacon.
Australian Leaders Programme: Activity summary
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